I dont understand some peoples idea to draft a 3-4 OLB with our first pick.
1)This draft is deep with 3-4 OLBs.
2)We just signed Cameron Wake. He will most likely play passing downs to start. Matt Roth, although one-dimensional is good against the run. Plus we still have an investment in Charlie Anderson. Plus Porter had his best year last year.
3)We have bigger needs. No starting strong safety. No starting free safety.
4)We need an ILB in the worst way.
5)We need a center. That Ravens game and some other games in particular showed that Satele is not a mauler that we need to run on teams all game.
6)We need better depth on the Oline.
Some say Larry English?
He COULD be a nice pickup. But hes a pass rushing specialist from a small school. We have Cameron Wake
Some say Michael Johnson?
He's a boom-or-bust guy. Pass rushing guy who'll dissapear in games. No thanks.
I'd address other needs (ie Center, Safety, dont know if an ILB will be available of value will be availble with the 1st pick) and get an OLB later in the draft...
Guys like Robert Ayers, Paul Kruger, Connor Barwin, or Cody Brown or perhaps another sleeper?
I do agree that we don't necessarily have to go for a DE/OLB hybrid with our 1st round pick. However, a number of your reasons have a few things to consider:
1) This draft is NOT deep with 3-4 linebackers. Guys like Clint Sintim are natural fits coming from Al Groh's system, but most other available prospects would be hybrids like you mentioned in your title. It's going to become an issue in the future as more NFL teams are converting to 3-4 defenses while fewer college programs are running it (I think Virginia might be the only team to run it exclusively). While I think a number of these hyrbids have a good chance at really becoming standouts in the league, I bet a larger number of them will struggle (and ultimately fail at the transition). Granted, the jury is out for players like Vernon Gholston, but he should be the perfect example of why its dangerous to bank a high pick (whether in the top 10 or back end of the first round) on a 'project' player. Also, even if there are prime 3-4 linebackers (hybrids or naturals) available, the increasing number of 3-4 defenses that also happen to pick in front of us (GB is converting, as is Denver, and you have the usuals like New England and New York) there is likely going to be a run to pick up the next Demarcus Ware or Kamerion Wimbley (though Wimbley has disappointed in his soph. season).
2) Cameron Wake is too much of a question mark at this point to be a given to pan out. Does he have talent? Yes. Is he an athletic freak? You better believe it. However, he has proven nothing at this level, let alone at a position that will be relatively new to him. Roth is very solid at setting the edge on running downs, but provides nothing as a 'well rounded' player, nor does he rush the passer well unless matched up on a smaller runningback or a tightend. Porter needs more reliable help on the other side. And Anderson, yes he's an investment, but outside of a few games he did nothing to distinguish himself as starting material or a reliable compliment to Porter.
3) I'm sure the Dolphins will look to address some of these bigger needs in Free Agency. The Bell contract still hasn't been resolved, though I'm thinking he'll likely be back in a Fins uniform, especially if the talk of Gibril Wilson's release is indeed true. With another safety on the market, one that rates probably higher than Bell in most team's eyes, the demand for Bell should drive his value down and increase the chances he'll be back with Miami. Also, outside of maybe Louis Delmas, as of now there don't project many safeties to be available around the 25th pick, especially ones that would grade out worthy of that selection slot. Positions like C are being examined with the possibility of Jason Brown if he hits FA, and at this point we can't rule out at least the CHANCE of a trade for a big name receiver (unlikely, but possible).
4) ILB will likely be addressed in FA as well, whether by resigning Channing Crowder or looking to pick up Bart Scott or Kevin Burnett (both would serve as upgrades to the position, or at worst, really good compliments). More than likely no ILB prospect will be available worthy of the 25th pick. USC's Ray Maluaga (sp?) would probably be nice, but chances are he's long gone by our pick.
5) Jason Brown is the ideal choice to upgrade the center slot. I think Samson took a lot of unfair flak for his play this year (though he does deserve A LITTLE). Chances are even if the FO takes a center with our first rounder, that player would likely not unseat Satele as a starter (barring injury or a serious lapse in play), thus using a pick on a player that could have been used on another impact player while that rookie center sits on the pine. The rook may start EVENTUALLY but Miami needs some upgrades NOW.
6) Getting Jason Brown would move Satele to a position that would provide valuable depth to C and likely Guard as well. Also, Oline depth can easily be improved with later round picks, and with a former Oline coach in Sparano our chances of landing another D. Thomas late in the draft are perhaps better than many other teams.
All in all, guys like Sintim and English would be really solid picks for us at the 25 slot, and I think both guys can bring a lot to the table. I don't think we NEED to address the OLB spot with our first, but chances are you can get better value for certain positions (like Oline) at later picks in the draft, whereas most of your standout OLB prospects will be gone early on, leaving you with mostly projects and average players (which we have already in Wake, Roth, and Anderson).
